Covid-19 has me searching for new recipes in cookbooks I haven't looked through in quite some time. And in order to minimize trips to the store, I plan a menu on Sunday; put on gloves and a mask and hit the aisles of the Giant Eagle I go to most frequently...no time to dilly dally looking for things in unfamiliar stores. The taco quesadillas made the cut for this week! If you are on schedule for taco tuesday...give these a try! I made them even easier by using a packet of taco seasoning and store bought salsa to top them off! And definitely use the yellow corn tortillas...makes them crunchy. They were delicious.The Pioneer Woman's original recipe follows with my adjustments in parenthesis. Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
Butter, for frying
8 corn tortillas
12 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, grated
Your favorite taco toppings for serving
Directions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain the excess fat. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, cayenne and 1 cup water and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and simmer until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Keep warm. (This is where I used the taco seasoning packet and I skipped the tomato paste because I thought I had some but I didn't)
- Heat a separate skillet over medium heat. Smear butter on the bottom and place a tortilla in the skillet. (I used Mission Brand Yellow Corn Tortillas)Top the tortilla with some of the cheese and a second tortilla and cook until the bottom side is brown and the cheese begins to melt, about 2 minutes.(I put the ground beef on top of the cheese and then added a little more cheese on top and then the second tortilla) Flip and cook the other side another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and cheese, adding additional butter as needed. (I buttered both the top and bottom tortilla because at this point, why not?)
- Top each quesadilla with a generous helping of the beef mixture, then top with some lettuce and Pico de Gallo. (See No. 2...I put the meat in between the tortillas and I used Giant Eagle Brand salsa)
Pico de Gallo:
- Chop the tomatoes, jalapenos and onions into very small dice (leave the seeds in your jalapenos for a hotter pico, or remove for a milder pico). Next, chop up a nice-size bunch of cilantro. Just remove and discard the long leafless stems before chopping. No need to remove the leaves from the stems completely. Place all of these ingredients together in a bowl and give it a good stir. Squeeze the juice of the lime half into the bowl. Add salt to taste and stir again. (or buy Giant Eagle Brand Salsa :))